Killed that possum!

[Below frigid]

Either of you know if live traps work decent to catch a coyote? Otherwise it's crazy ol group hunting party time with four wheelers LOL. Time to play the "Was that a firework or a gunshot?" game

Live traps work if they are set proper. Then what?

 

[Jus1]

Woke up to a dead RIR hen this morning. Going to bed with a dead possum in the garbage alongside her tonight! This stupid thing got himself caught inside the run tonight. It took three shots with a 380 to kill this thing. He just absorbed the first two shots and played dead. The last shot was right behind his ugly possum head! I know they're getting in under the door to the run. Gonna get some hardware cloth and redo the floor of the run and buildup around the door. Was thinking of a layer of hardware cloth covered with St. Augustine sod. I've heard leaving the hardware cloth bare could cause broken chicken toes. This is the second chicken we've lost this month and I just can't/won't replace them until I know the coop is safe!

Maybe a little advise depending on your set up. My husband and I dug a trench 8 inches deep and used 1/4 inch hardware cloth folded it in half for a double layer, and packed it in the trench. We also have 220 Duke body traps set near by. We have caught rats and opossum. I've been very worried about something happening, so I went a little wild with protecting my babies. Maybe that helps with some ideas.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Good luck with the hardware cloth thing though. I need to install some around mine. Have a raccoon eating their food and a fox around sometimes. Fixed the raccoon problem by putting HC on the fence where the food bowl sits but want to put it all the way around and on the ground.

 

[Bagels006]

Maybe a little advise depending on your set up. My husband and I dug a trench 8 inches deep and used 1/4 inch hardware cloth folded it in half for a double layer, and packed it in the trench. We also have 220 Duke body traps set near by. We have caught rats and opossum. I've been very worried about something happening, so I went a little wild with protecting my babies. Maybe that helps with some ideas.

Thanks for the ideas. I'll look into that. I tried to get hubby to bury some of the cloth but he and his dad were a bit lazy about it and didn't do it. Guess I'll have to do it myself!

 

[Bagels006]

Gun will be more effective! I I’ll probably get clobbered for that view!

You and me both!

 

[Bagels006]

Either of you know if live traps work decent to catch a coyote? Otherwise it's crazy ol group hunting party time with four wheelers LOL. Time to play the "Was that a firework or a gunshot?" game

I haven't had experience with traps yet. I have a cowardly cat who would get himself trapped and ruin my efforts. Although he is really sweet with the chickens. They hang out together under the shed and he doesn't even try to attack them. It's unnaturally adorable.

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Let’s keep it nice on here folks please. Could I ask that you all take a read of the tips for posting in the predators & pests section below please ~

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/predators-and-pests-forum-please-read-here-first.5808/

Thank you.

*BYC STAFF*

 

[Bagels006]

Good luck with the hardware cloth thing though. I need to install some around mine. Have a raccoon eating their food and a fox around sometimes. Fixed the raccoon problem by putting HC on the fence where the food bowl sits but want to put it all the way around and on the ground.

 

[The Phantom]

We have been killing coons and opossums that killed my expensive pheasants! Up to 14 coons, 2 opossums and one stray cat. Plus putting up electric wire to fry them if any more come!

 

[Bagels006]

Its cool. I'm overly defensive sometimes as well. I hope I can fix it all myself. Funny thing is this whole chicken raising thing was my daughter and husbands idea but now I'm the one doing all the work to raise them and keep them safe! They even have a cute little handwritten contract between the two of them that they both signed! My only job was supposed to be to collect eggs on the days my daughter can't. Now I'm doing everything!!!